Environment Agency officials have admitted that the dry weather could lead to “drought management measures”.

Last week South East Water dismissed the prospect of a hosepipe ban despite the continued dry spell but now people enjoying the 23c heat on Sunday have been warned that restrictions could be on the way unless levels are replenished.

The Environment Agency is working with water companies, businesses and farmers to minimise the impact.

Agency spokesman George Leigh this week told this paper that some rivers, groundwaters and reservoirs are lower than normal for the time of year but he said bringing in public water restrictions in Canterbury is a decision for South East Water.

“Below average rainfall could increase the likelihood of drought management measures in some areasr,” he said.

Work has started with farmers to reduce the impact, but one in the Canterbury area says those in his industry are unconcerned.

Trevor Bradley, who runs Boundary Farm in Wingham with his brother Stephen, has been revelling in the easier working conditions.

“It’s not a problem at the moment, we’re getting crops in the ground which we can’t do when it rains,” he said.

“In a few weeks, probably a month, it could be a bit of a problem though. We’ll need some rain by then.

“It has been dry but it’s also been the easiest spring for a long time. I’ve never planted so many potatoes so early.

“If you get rain every other day it’s difficult.”

South East Water’s head of water resources Lee Dance says although it has been a drier than normal winter, the company does not envisage water shortages this summer.

“Our aquifers are in a good position and our reservoir at Ardingly [west Sussex] is full,” he said, “but whatever the weather, we do ask our customers to use water wisely.

“Water is a precious resource and cutting down on daily water use doesn’t mean you have to make big changes. Just simple things like taking a shower rather than a bath, turning off the tap while brushing teeth and fixing leaking taps can have a huge impact on the amount of water households use.”

National reports suggest a three-month heatwave but the Met Office says while there is an increased chance it will be hotter than normal over April, May and June, and drier than average, there could still be some colder spells.

The weather is having a devastating effect on butterflies. The heath fritillary, restricted to just a handful of sites in southern England, saw numbers slump by 27% compared to 2015 increasing fears for the future of the butterfly whose numbers have fallen by 82% in the last decade.